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How would you prioritize your work, if different managers assigned you tasks due at the same time?

How would you prioritize your work, if different managers assigned you tasks due at the same time?

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Question added by Wael Al Atrash , Senior Coordinator , Emirates National Oil Company (ENOC),
Date Posted: 2017/12/04
Ljiljana Berat
by Ljiljana Berat , Sales & Marketing Director , Devtech

Divide tasks in 4 categories: Urgent & Very important (do it immediately), Urgent & not important (delegate!), Not urgent & Very important (put it on your task list after category 1), Not urgent & Not important (delegate or ignore for the time beeing) :-)

Sherif Shabaan
by Sherif Shabaan , Road works project manager , Med Block Contracting and Engineering Consultancy

I arrange what is to be implemented now and what can be implemented soon

Araceli Bandoy
by Araceli Bandoy , Office Administrator/Event Coordinator , Freelance

I and my Managers itself knows the value of each task given, If one task is more important than the others, I should take the chance to inform the other manager that the other one has to be done first with the most valued reason and compromising to do the next task as soon as possible. 

Thivakaran Periyathamby
by Thivakaran Periyathamby , IT Engineer , Panorama Contracting & Engineering Services Co. W.L.L.

I will prioritize my direct  manager's task with whom I am directly reporting to

Segun Olayinka
by Segun Olayinka , Acting principal and science teacher , Start right schools, Illela, Sokoto state.

I would examine the different tasks critically,   place them on a scale of preference and then, execute in their order of preference.

Marlon Aguillon
by Marlon Aguillon , Brand Allocator , Gulf Marketing Group

Time management.. you should know what are your priorities to be done..

solomon adedunmola
by solomon adedunmola , Logistics Manager , Mirsha Global Service Ltd

When I'm assigned jobs by different managers, I will prioritize the one given to me by my line manager except if the overall boss like General Manager or MD give an urgent work to do that I can drop the one given to me by my line manager. Why? I report to him and he's the one that will appraise me whenever the need arises.

Lakshmi Narasimhan B
by Lakshmi Narasimhan B , Senior Deputy General Manager , Larsen & Toubro Ltd

I will make a quick assessment of time and resources required for the work, discuss and agree on an acceptable target date for each work, plan based on concurrent and consecutive steps and execute work as per plan. Keep managers informed in advance of any changes affecting the timeline and work towards improving committed timelines.

MOHAMMAD  SHAHAB
by MOHAMMAD SHAHAB , Consultant Sr. HSE Engineer , Redco International W.L.L

When managing tasks assigned by different managers with the same deadlines, I would typically prioritize my work based on several factors:   1. Deadline Urgency: I would assess which task has the most immediate deadline and prioritize it to ensure it's completed on time.   2. Importance and Impact: I'd consider the importance and impact of each task on the overall goals and objectives of the organization. Tasks with higher strategic significance may take precedence.   3. Manager's Guidance: If one manager has provided specific guidance or emphasized the importance of their task, I would give it priority to demonstrate responsiveness and alignment.   4. Workload and Complexity: I'd also take into account the complexity and workload associated with each task. If one task is more time-consuming or challenging, it might need to be started earlier.   5. Communication: Open communication with both managers is crucial. If I anticipate any conflicts or challenges in meeting the deadlines, I would inform them and seek guidance on how to proceed.   6. Flexibility: Sometimes, it's possible to negotiate deadlines or seek assistance from one manager to help prioritize the most critical tasks.   Ultimately, effective time management, clear communication, and alignment with organizational goals are key to successfully managing tasks from different managers with concurrent deadlines.

Michel Francis
by Michel Francis , Managing Director And Founder , MF Architect

The fact of having to report to 2 managers indicate that you may be in a matrix organization where you may report for example to a functional manager of your specialty and to a project manager where you are assigned. But it is also possible that you are reporting to 2 functional managers or 2 project managers depending on your level of assignment or involvement. In such cases of conflicting work orders, the best course of action may be to communicate to each manager that another manager is asking for work to be delivered at the same time. Making the managers aware of your other assignments may help as they may agree among each other what work is more important or may reassign part of it to someone else. However that doesn't always work and sometimes you get stuck in doing both. Of course being able to pull that off would make you a winner especially if each manager is aware that you were assigned additional work by someone else. So it comes down to setting priorities. The first thing you look at is the criticality of the work, so ask yourself what work is more critical to the advancement of business, to the project or to the organization? What work if not completed will stall other team members works? What work has the greatest impact the delivery of the project or team work assignment? These questions will let you have an insight on what work is more critical. Next you ask yourself what work will take the least time to complete? What work is easier for you to do? If one assignment can be completed in a very short time, then this is an indication that it should be completed first. The third thing to ask yourself is what work has the greatest money impact on the organization or on the project? What work if not completed would result in greater losses? You should take into consideration not only your own assignment, but also the assignments that depend on the completion of your assignment. Asking those 3 questions will give you an insight on scope, schedule, and budget priorities. Weighing all 3 together will let you make an informed decision on priority and work on the most scope critical, the least time consuming, and the most budget critical.

Arroyo Minnie
by Arroyo Minnie , Leasing Administrator , Al Mana Malls

I have to prioritize my Line Manager's task with whom I am directly reporting to. In a scenario where the task was given from the higher management and  in top priority, I have to notify my Line Manager the significant and urgency to complete the workload at a time.

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